WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. (LourdesAthletics.com) – The Lourdes University men's wrestling team showcased strong performances in the NAIA Invitational at the Battle in the Bluegrass, hosted by the University of the Cumberlands on December 20. William Speight highlighted the event for the Gray Wolves with a second-place finish at 184 pounds, earning 18 team points.

Speight advanced to the finals with back-to-back technical fall victories, defeating Jairo Caceres of St. Thomas University (22-5) and Michael Durham of Indiana Tech (18-3). He fell in the championship bout to Jesse Perez of Life University in a major decision (9-0).

Cole McKinley (141 pounds) placed fourth, scoring 13.5 team points. McKinley opened with a decision over Giuseppe Guerra of St. Ambrose (9-8) before securing a fall in the consolation semifinals. He concluded his day with a 17-12 decision loss in the third-place match.

Tyler Cobb also earned a fourth-place finish at 285 pounds, contributing 12.5 team points. Cobb earned a decision over Kei`Sun Sanders of Keiser (6-1) and pinned Bruce Wagers of Rio Grande in 4:36 in the consolation bracket before falling to Austin Silva of Cumberlands (5-0) in the third-place match.

At 165 pounds, Nathan Barker tallied two team points with a first-round victory over Slade Dias of St. Ambrose (4-2). Ayden Wilson added three team points at 174 pounds, earning a quick fall over Ellis Hughes of Waldorf in 1:01. Both wrestlers exited in the consolation rounds.

Up Next:
Lourdes University opens its WHAC dual season on Sunday, Jan. 12, as the Gray Wolves face Marian University in Indianapolis, Ind. The match is set for a 7 p.m. start at Marian's campus.